We have a very limited amount of data about this season. So let's start by doing a quick review of last season. The Huskies began the year with a very shakey frontcourt; It got worse when UConn lost Wolf. It was frankly the worst rebounding and post defending team that I can remember in over 20 years.
The bench was limited, and there was a series of injuries which began early and reached a crescendo toward the end of the season. UConn had its easiest Big East schedule in many years and finished 10-8 in the league. The number of close league games was very unusual.
The team had few offensive options. Napier and Boatright were there from the beginning of the season as effective scorers. Daniels amped up his game at the end of the season. Calhoun despite somewhat limited mobility ended the season averaging double figures. Among the many problems the team had offensively was that limited defensive rebounding limited break opportunites. UConn was forced to play against the other team's set half court defense. The lack of an interior punch meant that if you could cut down half court penetration, you could force UConn to rely on jump shots.
Almost never did UConn have its four solid scorers healthy at the same time. With the exception of Calhoun none of the freshmen made a solid contribution; though it is fair to say that by the end of the season Nolan
showed the ability to play 5-10 productive minutes off the bench. Giffey contributed by his all around play,
but he wasn't much of an offensive force. Evans looked okay at the beginning of the year, but by the end of the season, his role was very limited.
Reading this, you may wonder how UConn won 20 games last season. Given the size and rebounding constraints; UConn played pretty solid D. They had a good assist to turnover ratio, and they played hard every game.
Coach Ollie did a very good job making a decent team out of somewhat mismatched parts and a very thin bench. What has changed since last season?
This is a more experienced team. Napier is a better team leader. Hopefully, he will have to play fewer minutes per game. His decision making with the ball is much improved, he is really finding his teammates.
Players like Calhoun and Giffey are finding sweet spots of the floor. Jump shots are rarely rushed. The shooters and the ball arrive at the right spot at the optimal time. Boatright has also shown more ability to be a complimentary distributor. Either he or Napier is perfectly capable of playing on or off the ball as needed.
The offense looks more fluid when both are on the floor together, but there is a glimmer of a hopeful development that the offense can run relatively smoothly with only one on the floor.
Despite some low post possibilities; this is primarily a fast break and jump shooting team. It is an excellent jump shooting team with multiple options, most of whom are capable of occasional forays to the basket. The ability to fast break consistently will depend on rebounding, turnovers, and the opposing teams style of play.
Very few teams have the personnel to try and match UConn in a running game. Before I leave this section I have to mention the addition of Kromah; so far he seems to be a significant improvement from Evans.
The player who is causing the most concern is Daniels. So far he has been a shadow of the player who ended last season. He has more potential to score on the interior than he has shown. His rebounding has been very poor. His defense has been decent. I don't really have a handle on what makes Daniels perform well; I have noticed that if he gets off to a good start offensively, then his game seems to flow naturally.
Even down at the end of the bench with Samuel and Tolksdorf, there are players who can contribute offensively.
UConn's defense has always started with rebounding since Calhoun arrived. This is key question mark for this team. It is hard to see how they could be worse than last year's team. The boxouts seem better this year; the guards are open to pick up rebounds. Still one would feel more confident if Nolan, Brimah and Olander
were able to average double digits as a group.
The defense will be helped going forward by Brimah's ability to block shots and to retain possession. Still the half court hedges and switches need to be smoother. UConn is vulnerable to penetration and skillful widebody players.
Usually UConn teams seem to be more set defensively than offensively to begin the season. I think the opposite is true this season. The offense is ahead of the defense. Part of that is probably due to the new handchecking rules, but unless the defense plugs some holes; UConn will be reliant on very good offensive games against quality opponents.
The bench was limited, and there was a series of injuries which began early and reached a crescendo toward the end of the season. UConn had its easiest Big East schedule in many years and finished 10-8 in the league. The number of close league games was very unusual.
The team had few offensive options. Napier and Boatright were there from the beginning of the season as effective scorers. Daniels amped up his game at the end of the season. Calhoun despite somewhat limited mobility ended the season averaging double figures. Among the many problems the team had offensively was that limited defensive rebounding limited break opportunites. UConn was forced to play against the other team's set half court defense. The lack of an interior punch meant that if you could cut down half court penetration, you could force UConn to rely on jump shots.
Almost never did UConn have its four solid scorers healthy at the same time. With the exception of Calhoun none of the freshmen made a solid contribution; though it is fair to say that by the end of the season Nolan
showed the ability to play 5-10 productive minutes off the bench. Giffey contributed by his all around play,
but he wasn't much of an offensive force. Evans looked okay at the beginning of the year, but by the end of the season, his role was very limited.
Reading this, you may wonder how UConn won 20 games last season. Given the size and rebounding constraints; UConn played pretty solid D. They had a good assist to turnover ratio, and they played hard every game.
Coach Ollie did a very good job making a decent team out of somewhat mismatched parts and a very thin bench. What has changed since last season?
This is a more experienced team. Napier is a better team leader. Hopefully, he will have to play fewer minutes per game. His decision making with the ball is much improved, he is really finding his teammates.
Players like Calhoun and Giffey are finding sweet spots of the floor. Jump shots are rarely rushed. The shooters and the ball arrive at the right spot at the optimal time. Boatright has also shown more ability to be a complimentary distributor. Either he or Napier is perfectly capable of playing on or off the ball as needed.
The offense looks more fluid when both are on the floor together, but there is a glimmer of a hopeful development that the offense can run relatively smoothly with only one on the floor.
Despite some low post possibilities; this is primarily a fast break and jump shooting team. It is an excellent jump shooting team with multiple options, most of whom are capable of occasional forays to the basket. The ability to fast break consistently will depend on rebounding, turnovers, and the opposing teams style of play.
Very few teams have the personnel to try and match UConn in a running game. Before I leave this section I have to mention the addition of Kromah; so far he seems to be a significant improvement from Evans.
The player who is causing the most concern is Daniels. So far he has been a shadow of the player who ended last season. He has more potential to score on the interior than he has shown. His rebounding has been very poor. His defense has been decent. I don't really have a handle on what makes Daniels perform well; I have noticed that if he gets off to a good start offensively, then his game seems to flow naturally.
Even down at the end of the bench with Samuel and Tolksdorf, there are players who can contribute offensively.
UConn's defense has always started with rebounding since Calhoun arrived. This is key question mark for this team. It is hard to see how they could be worse than last year's team. The boxouts seem better this year; the guards are open to pick up rebounds. Still one would feel more confident if Nolan, Brimah and Olander
were able to average double digits as a group.
The defense will be helped going forward by Brimah's ability to block shots and to retain possession. Still the half court hedges and switches need to be smoother. UConn is vulnerable to penetration and skillful widebody players.
Usually UConn teams seem to be more set defensively than offensively to begin the season. I think the opposite is true this season. The offense is ahead of the defense. Part of that is probably due to the new handchecking rules, but unless the defense plugs some holes; UConn will be reliant on very good offensive games against quality opponents.